Iran is threatening to ban inspections if it is hit by new sanctions under a nearly expiring nuclear deal from 2015—a day after allowing inspectors limited access to its Bushehr facility.
Newsweek has contacted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for comment.
Why It Matters
Tehran has remained undeterred by U.S. sanctions, attacks on its nuclear facilities, or the “snapback” mechanism that European countries are preparing to trigger.
The country has enriched uranium to high levels—believed sufficient to build a nuclear bomb—conducted nuclear activityu outside IAEA oversight, and threatened to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, all while insisting its nuclear program is peaceful.
Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP
What To Know
If the E3 group of Britain, France and Germany triggers the snapback, “cooperation and interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency will be completely affected and halted,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, said.
Talks in Geneva this week failed to make progress as Iran’s commitments were deemed insufficient by the Europeans, raising the stakes for triggering the U.N. sanctions process.
Gharibabadi, who attended the discussions, further warned that Europe would be cut off from direct talks with Iran, and that all negotiations would have to take place under the auspices of the U.N. Security Council.
The IAEA and Western officials say Iran has failed to comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear restrictions and are now pressuring Tehran to agree to limits and inspections, aimed at preventing it from advancing toward nuclear weapons.
Iran has allowed IAEA inspectors to monitor fuel at Bushehr, but no new agreement has been reached since inspections were suspended after the 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States.
“Naturally, if the Europeans choose to act based on their political preferences, these ongoing discussions between us and the agency will be affected,” Gharibabadi said.
What People Are Saying
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday: “Iran will send a letter or official notification to the Security Council. We have informed them that if the E3 triggers the snapback, our current path for cooperation and interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency will be completely affected and halted. In such circumstances, continuing this interactive process would be meaningless.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X on Thursday: “Reaffirmed U.S. support for the [IAEA] in my meeting with Director General [Rafael Grossi]. We discussed ways to promote global nuclear safety, security, and safeguards—including IAEA efforts to monitor Iran. The U.S. is committed to advancing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
What Happens Next
The E3 is expected to announce its decision on invoking the snapback mechanism before the end of the month.
